The Canterbury Tales: How Applicable Is This Story To Today's Society?

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The Canterbury Tales Essay
Stereotypes are often associated with negative connotations. Describe how Chaucer uses stereotypes to describe the society he lived in and discuss whether or not his stereotypical characterizations are acceptable.
Chaucer lived in an era when women were not respected and always came second. Husbands and the society at large believed that women were meant to serve and live on their knees. At the time, speaking or even writing about these issues seemed like a bold move but not for Chaucer. Women were almost considered child-bearing tools and men had complete power over them. Wives were considered their husband’s property and in Canterbury Tale, Chaucer seems to have touched on some of these issues. Chaucer puts himself in women’s shoes and manages to satirically reveal issues such as the validity or rationality of women desires as well as the double standards in the society.
As per The Miller’s tale, women were not expected to have affairs or have multiple sex partners. Society expected widows to stay single and having affairs was also considered something that men would do. However, Chaucer addresses this retrogressive belief and stance through Alison’s character. Alison acknowledged and made it clear that her sexual desires are indeed a factor to be considered in the society. She goes ahead to state that there are no laws on the land or in the bible regarding virginity and concludes that “counselling is not commandment” (185). In another instance, she states that the purpose of her genitals is not explicitly for “purgation of urine” (187). These examples indeed help to showcase the societal perception about women as well as the absurd expectations bestowed on them.
However, one would argue that Chaucer’s stereotypical characterizations are not acceptable because of the way he presents the woman in The Wife of Bath. Even though the woman there is powerful and intimidating, she is made to look fat, large, and toothless while the Prioress is made to look exquisite in all her attributes. One could argue that Chaucer sought to showcase what men and the society expects of women and what they do not.
The Pardoner’s Tale is a moral tale about the dangers of money and greed. How applicable is this story to today’s society? In other words, what can people today learn from the Pardoner and his tale?
While writing The Pardoner’s Tale, it is almost as if Chaucer had a person or a situation in mind. The story written in the 14th century encompasses themes which are indeed still relevant today. The Pardoner’s Tale is a story about a preacher who exchanges his sermons for money. The man is the epitome of hypocrisy and seems to castigate things and activities which he partakes. He aggressively preaches against blaspheming, gambling, and alcohol consumption. However, he admits to be among the people who continually commit or succumbs to the temptations of these sins. The story is full of relevant lessons. His teachings on greed and money seem to resonate with the state of the world today where everyone is living for themselves. Love for money and greed are commonplace and peopl...